Chapter 192 The Jade Tree of the Dark Moon
The bright moon was there then; how many people returned by moonlight?
Ji An returned to Crimson Flame Peak close to midnight. All was quiet, and the spirit fish in the cold pool darted about, their movements shimmering in the sunlight.
He went to the deepest part of the underground cave and found that the golden retriever was not there; it must have gone out to forage for food.
Feeling the fresh air blowing in from the vent, he wondered how big a channel should be dug to let in the moonlight.
The best solution is to dig a large funnel-shaped hole so that the moonlight shines on the spirit tree from sunrise to sunset.
Another issue is whether moonlight affects the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree, and how much it affects it; these questions need to be verified gradually.
If moonlight has a negative impact on the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree, then a new spiritual vein node must be found for transplantation.
After a while, Ji An heard the Firetooth Rabbit's terrified cry, and then saw Golden Fur running in with its prey in its mouth.
The dark environment was not a hindrance to it at all.
The golden retriever carried its prey to the vicinity of the Soul-Nourishing Tree, killed it, and ate half of it. Then it dug a hole, buried the prey, filled it with soil, and jumped around on it a few times.
"Squeak squeak".
The golden retriever barked as if it wanted to take credit, its fluffy tail swaying gently.
Ji An squatted down and stroked its soft fur, then smiled and said:
"Well done."
He made a hand seal and released the Thick Earth Returning to Origin Mantra, a warm yellow spiritual light shone, and a profound aura spread.
Ji An took out the Beast Taming Token and communicated with the golden retriever mentally, assigning the task of digging the tunnel.
This project is quite complex. Although the beast tamer has a certain level of intelligence, he probably wouldn't be able to understand it if he were to describe it verbally.
After exchanging words for a while, the Golden Retriever understood its owner's meaning, squeaking and gesturing with its little paws.
"I'm willing to do this job, but the workload is too heavy and it will take a long time to complete. Eating more fruit would greatly speed things up."
Ji An understood the meaning conveyed by the golden retriever and smiled:
"They're getting smarter and smarter; they know how to ask for favors now."
He tossed out a spirit fruit and continued:
"You can get a fruit when you complete half of it, and you can get another one when you finish."
"Squeak squeak".
The golden retriever caught the earth spirit fruit, signifying a deal was made.
It used to get one every two months, and it would be quite satisfied to get three extra.
Ji An nodded slightly. When the golden retriever could bargain a second time, it would mean that its intelligence had improved again.
The spirit-seeking mouse ate the fruit, handed over the seeds, used its earth-shaping magic, and disappeared. It was time to get to work.
The next day, at noon.
Liu Yu, Li Lingyu, Mu Qingwan, and Du Huaiyuan arrived at Chiyan Peak together and landed in a stone house by the cold pool.
Upon receiving the report, Ji An came out to greet them, saying warmly:
"I was just thinking of inviting a few senior brothers and sisters over, but I didn't expect to meet everyone today. Please sit down and let's talk."
Huang Xuan, tell Yu Han and the others that there will be a banquet at noon.
"We came uninvited, so Junior Brother can save a few communication talisman swords."
Du Huaiyuan laughed and said that he had visited Chiyan Peak the most among everyone, and he would stay here for several months every year during the brewing season.
"I received four spirit fruits a few days ago, and they tasted excellent. I wonder if I'll be able to enjoy them again today?"
Because they were close, he spoke much more casually.
"Of course, although this is the first time the Tianyuan pear has borne fruit, it is still a bumper harvest."
Ji An turned his head and instructed:
"Li Cheng, go to the warehouse and get some things to serve the guests."
After exchanging pleasantries, the group sat down around the stone table.
"I returned to the sect a few days ago, intending to visit my junior brother, but I was unexpectedly sent out on an urgent mission, which delayed me until now."
I learned from Junior Brother Du that you've broken through to the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. Congratulations!
Liu Yu cupped his hands and said that he was also at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment, having broken through only a year earlier than the other party.
He was secretly surprised. He had a fire-elemental body, so cultivating fire-elemental techniques was twice as effective, but he hadn't managed to pull ahead of his opponent. His opponent was likely also a special physique.
"Congratulations! Your rapid progress is putting a lot of pressure on us."
Li Lingyu presented a jade bottle and continued:
"Here are two Azure Lotus Pills, a gift for my junior brother."
She had only been at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage for two years, while her opponent had already broken through to the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. The gap between the two was likely to widen further in the future.
Ji An waved his hand and said:
"Thank you, Senior Sister. Now that you've broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, it's the perfect time to need the Azure Lotus Pill."
The other party cultivates a wood-elemental technique, which also requires the Azure Lotus Pill.
"I am now able to refine the Azure Lotus Pill, and I often receive related refining tasks from the sect. Junior brother, you can take it."
As a water- and wood-attribute pill, the Azure Lotus Pill is usually given to alchemists who choose wood-element cultivation methods to refine. Li Lingyu has had many opportunities to practice, and her success rate in refining the pill is now quite high.
Ji An happily accepted the jade bottle, a smile playing on her lips:
"Oh, I see. Then I'll shamelessly accept it."
"If you ever have any Azure Lotus Pills for sale, remember to contact me. I can exchange them for spirit stones or wood-elemental spiritual items."
Li Lingyu nodded:
"I've written it down."
Mu Qingwan continued:
"Junior Brother, your cultivation has progressed rapidly, and Crimson Flame Peak is thriving. Congratulations!"
I obtained some second-grade low-level tea leaves and gave some to my junior brother.
As she spoke, she took out a porcelain jar the size of a fist.
Even when she was on a mission at Mingfeng Mountain, her junior brother would often send gifts to her cave, and she couldn't remain silent about it.
The tea trees painted on the porcelain jar gave Ji An a very familiar feeling.
He remembered that Liu Suyun had once given him a jar of the same appearance, and asked softly:
"Cloud Top Silver Needle?"
"Indeed, this is the spirit tea."
"Thank you, senior sister."
Ji An bowed in gratitude. The second-grade low-level spiritual tea had the effect of accelerating the recovery of spiritual consciousness, and long-term consumption also had a slight effect of nourishing the soul, which was beneficial to Foundation Establishment cultivators.
He asked Wei Songnian to buy seeds or rhizomes of second-grade tea trees, but he never had the chance.
He sighed softly and said:
"It's a pity I've never encountered a good tea variety, otherwise everyone could drink second-tier spiritual tea every year."
"Hey, junior brother, your luck has come!"
Liu Yu smiled and took out a wooden box:
"Our team was hunting down a late-stage Foundation Establishment demon cultivator when we obtained this seed from him. Let's open it and take a look!"
"Senior brother, do you have any good stuff?"
Ji An's eyes lit up immediately. He grabbed the jade box and opened it. Inside lay a light-colored seed, slightly larger than a pigeon egg.
Its surface has golden striped patterns and is still shimmering with a spiritual light.
He held the seed between three fingers and rubbed it; the surface was smooth, giving it a jade-like feel.
Ji An's divine sense penetrated deep into the seed, sensing the life force it contained, and he said with delight:
"A mid-grade second-tier spirit seed, this seems to be the seed of the Nether Moon Jade Tree!"
Senior brothers and sisters, am I right?
The Yuyue Cangyu Tree belongs to the small-leaf tea tree species. Its leaves are white with golden veins and can absorb the power of moonlight.
The resulting Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea has a good effect on nourishing the soul and spirit, and can be considered as a top-tier spiritual tea among its peers.
"I don't recognize what kind of tea it is, I only know it's a second-tier spiritual tea."
Liu Yu shook his head. He could recognize the Youyue Cangyu Tree if he saw it, but identifying what kind of spiritual tree it was from its seeds would be difficult for him.
Li Lingyu took the spirit seed to examine it, then returned it, saying:
"I also think it's the Azure Jade Tree of the Moon. We'll see once it's planted."
Ji An carefully put away the spirit seed and said:
"After we start producing second-tier tea, you'll be able to get more each year."
The seeds are very precious; they are a superior product for nourishing the soul. Although they cannot compare to the Soul-Nourishing Wood, they are effective enough for Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"I'm looking forward to drinking the tea grown by my junior brother!"
Liu Yu was very happy. The team obtained three seeds. The team leader took one and handed it over to the sect, while he paid a price to get two more.
One was sent back to the family, and the other was given to the junior brother.
The spirit seed was not identified at Mingfeng Mountain, and due to the uncertainty of its value, the sect has not yet issued the corresponding reward to the team.
Du Huaiyuan looked slightly embarrassed and said:
"You all brought gifts? How am I supposed to accept this, coming here with my fists in my hands!"
"Junior brother, I'll take two fewer jars of the second-grade pine nut wine."
Ji An smiled and said:
"Senior brother isn't sincere enough. How about this, we'll take the second-grade pine nut wine we drink at noon from your share. Everyone will still be indebted to you, how about that?"
"Okay, I agree!"
Li Lingyu clapped her hands and said so, and Mu Qingwan echoed her.
"Okay, no problem, everyone drink up!"
Du Huaiyuan patted his chest and said confidently.
The maidservants served the sacred food, and Ji An poured wine for everyone to enjoy.
Mu Qingwan said softly:
"Senior Brother Liu, we've heard that the area around Mingfeng Mountain is not peaceful, and cultivators often die tragically. Is that true?"
She was on a pill-refining mission at Mingfeng Mountain and rarely left the Immortal City. Her knowledge of the outside world was all hearsay.
Liu Yu nodded slightly and said:
"It is indeed not peaceful. Demon cultivators and evil cultivators who had almost disappeared before have all reappeared."
According to intelligence from the Enforcement Hall, several demon cultivators who control demonic insects are particularly ferocious, and a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was severely injured in one such attack.
The demon cultivators are able to command demon beasts in battle. The demon calamity has not yet officially broken out, but in a sense, the war has already begun.
He paused, waved away the maids and others, and lowered his voice to say:
"According to statistics, approximately 170,000 to 180,000 cultivators have come to Mingfeng Mountain or established strongholds in the newly occupied areas east of the Immortal City."
Some demon cultivators have also infiltrated human territory to kill. I worry that if a demonic calamity breaks out in the future, there won't be a true front line, making defense very difficult.
Ji An said in a deep voice:
"If the situation at Mingfeng Mountain deteriorates and the cultivation families feel that their ancestral land is threatened, it may affect the sect's plans."
If the independent cultivators see the situation is not good and retreat on a large scale, then things will become difficult.
"No, the three sects have jointly set up a generous reward. Cultivators can not only obtain materials by killing demonic beasts, but also gain points. These points can be used to purchase healing pills at a low price."
If you accumulate enough points, you can also qualify to redeem Foundation Establishment Pills.
The rogue cultivator who was severely injured by the demon cultivator received extra elixirs as a reward, and with a little recuperation over a year or two, he should be able to fully recover.
Liu Yu said calmly, "Sects have plenty of ways to make rogue cultivators risk their lives."
Many cultivation families were aware of the impending demonic calamity, and they understood that only with a more solid defense line at Mingfeng Mountain would their family's foundation be safer.
Many independent cultivators know the danger, but they also know that if it weren't dangerous, they wouldn't have had the chance to do it. They risk their lives to get a chance.
(End of this chapter)
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